Avis D. Matthews

Avis Daphyne Violet Matthews was born on April 4, 1943, in Chester, Pennsylvania where she resided most of her life. She departed this life for her heavenly home on October 13, 2025, in Media, PA surrounded by family. She was the oldest child of Sylvester Ulysses (Chinkie) and Lena B. ( née Thomas) Cottman. The family later grew to include Sylvester Gregory Cottman. Avis spent as much time with her grandmother, Mary M. Thomas, as she did with her parents. She attended Chester schools,and was a proud member of the Chester High School class of 1961. She regularly attended class reunions and enjoyed time spent with her classmates. Avis enjoyed singing and listening to music. She sang in a variety of choirs from the time she was a child until the onset of her illness. As a child she sang in the youth and young adult choirs, at Bethany Baptist Church, where she gave her life to Christ under the leadership of Rev. Daniel A Scott. She also traveled to sing as a member of Dorthy Pearson’s Chanteers, actively participating in the Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey’s National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses (NCGCC.) More recently, she sang soprano with the Bethany Praise and Worship Team. In addition to singing Mommy loved her vinyl record collection and frequently attended concerts especially for her favorite group the elements Earth, Wind and Fire. After graduating from Chester High School, Avis went to work with General Electric in Center City utilizing her business and office skills. She left that position to relocate with her husband Paul W. Matthews Jr., who had joined the U.S. Air Force. They were stationed in Clovis, New Mexico, where Walter Paul Matthews III was born. Later, as Paul was being sent to Japan, Avis returned to Chester, where Shannon was born. Avis returned to work, with the Westinghouse Corporation in Lester, Pa. Her career spanned 26 years until the closing of that location. Her career began as a time keeper, and ended as the payroll coordinator in the Human Resources Department. Avis continued with a Westinghouse subsidiary in Moorestown, NJ for a few years until 1988 when the last branch of the company in our region closed. Following that season, Avis learned new skills, including medical billing, and went to work for Crozer Chester Medical Center in the occupational health office, retiring in 2013. Avis had many hobbies including arts and crafts, crochet, knitting and painting ceramics, a skill she shared with her children. During retirement, she became a member of the Chester Senior Center, where she attended jewelry making classes, perfecting that skill as evidenced by numerous sets she made daily to match whatever outfit she was wearing. She attended drawing and painting classes under the direction of Van Buren Payne. She also enjoyed participating in the wellness activities, including chair yoga/sit and fit and learning about (and using) herbal remedies to complement her traditional treatments. Avis enjoyed doing puzzles, including cryptograms, crossword puzzles, playing scrabble and backgammon. She also enjoyed watching jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. One of the highlights of her retirement was competing to earn a spot on a Wheel broadcast during a grandparent/grandchild special in 2017, with her oldest grandson Stefan. They aced the online test and in-person audition, and then taped a game for broadcast at Disney’s Epcot park, in October 2017. Their broadcast aired nationally the next month (and they won some money!). In addition to doing puzzles and frequenting the senior center, Avis volunteered in her retirement. She tutored young adults in reading at Wetherrill School with Rev. Dr. Lavada E. Y. Driggins, and made telephone calls to the sick and shut in for the Keep In Touch Program at the Senior Center. She also volunteered in the food service department at the Episcopal Place at Park Row, but did not stay there very long because the work was “like a real job.” Avis leaves behind a legacy of unwavering love for family, friends, and coworkers. She was a mom to all of Matt and Shannon’s friends, band mates, classmates, roommates, and especially the members of the Chester High School Class of 1983, and the men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Kappa Omega Chapter, who spent many nights at the house on road trips to local colleges and the Penn Relays. Her loving spirit never ended, she was Mom to the entire crew from Gospel Light Church, where Shannon is a member; and Mom Mom to all of the grandchildren’s circle of friends. She attended sporting events, band competitions, karate competitions, step-shows, fashion shows and theatre events cheering on all of her grands including Carl, Cameron, Jared, Jordan, Mark, Shanita and Courtney. Avis and family mourned the losses of her parents, Chinkie and Lena Cottman, her brother Gregory Cottman, and her grandmother Mary M. Thomas. Mourning her transition are two children, Walter (Denise) Paul Matthews III and Shannon Matthews, five grandchildren, Stefan (Crystal) Matthews Barron, Christian Matthews, Mariah Matthews, Emmanuel Matthews, and Carmen Matthews, a bonus grandson Carl B. McKenzie, two great granddaughters, Madison Jae and Melody Joy Matthews Barron, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2Timothy 4:7

Avis D. Matthews

April 4, 1943 - October 13, 2025